Daily Dose Of Jazz…

Raymond Burke was born Raymond Barrois on June 6, 1904 in New Orleans, Louisiana. His first instrument was a flute he carved from a fishing pole, then played the tin whistle, kazoo, and clarinet. His first job in music came in 1913 when he panhandled on the kazoo with future New Orleans Rhythm Kings drummer Leo Adde who played percussion on a cigar box.

A polite, albeit eccentric with wavy hair and a thin mustache, the conservatively dressed clarinetist did not drink, smoke, or gamble. Burke rarely left the city except for out-of-town gigs or tours with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band later in life.

In the 1930s Burke played with The Henry Belas Orchestra, spent a short period of time in Kansas City for a musical job, but soon returned. In the 1940s and ’50s, he played with Alvin Alcorn, Sharkey Bonano, and frequently in a trio with pianist Jeff Riddick and bassist Sherwood Mangiapane. Through the 1960s and 70s Burke he played with Preservation Hall musicians.

For a time he ran a rabais shop, a personal collection that the owner makes semi-available to the public for sale. Located in a residential section of Bourbon Street which had light pedestrian traffic the shop was filled with old jazz records, historical memorabilia, musical instruments and equipment, books, magazines, and a collection of sheet music. It generated little financial income.

During his active years, he never achieved mainstream popularity or commercial success. He was known for playing modestly, and in large ensembles, his clarinet could easily be overpowered. Refusing to let contemporary music influence his sound for commercial reasons, he associated with “Second Line” jazz, which differentiated White imitators who simplified the style from Black or Creole musicians.

He gained some popularity around 1939 when fans started using portable recorders at live performances during local jam sessions. Clarinetist Raymond Burke, who played in the Dixieland style, passed away on March 21, 1986.

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